SBLive Power 25 boys basketball rankings - Nov. 29

SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25: Texas has arrived as Duncanville, Richardson move up in national boys basketball rankings

In the first bout of regular season matchups between national powers, Duncanville and Richardson both scored statement Thanksgiving week wins.

Author:
Andy Buhler, SBLive Sports
Publish date:
Nov 29, 2021 12:49 PM EST

Hear that? The state of Texas would like you to know it has arrived.

In the first bout of regular season matchups between national powers, Duncanville and Richardson both scored statement Thanksgiving week wins. The Panthers beat No. 24 Corona Centennial (Calif.) and No. 5 Sierra Canyon back-to-back in Dallas's Thanksgiving Hoopfest, while Richardson beat AZ Compass, widely regarded as the country's top prep school.

The wins moved both teams up a spot to No. 5 and No. 13, respectively, in the latest SBLive/SI Power 25 rankings of the season, released Monday.

There was little other movement as many states still have yet to start season, but that should change this week with the start of National Interscholastic Basketball Conference play, which will square No. 1 Montverde, No. 2 IMG Academy, No. 4. Sunrise Christian and No. Oak Hill Academy against one another, among other ranked matchups in a three-day succession.

SBLIVE POWER 25:PRESEASON RANKINGS | NOV. 22 RANKINGS

The Power 25 is a collaboration between SBLive and Sports Illustrated. Power 25 rankings are compiled by SBLive reporter Andy Buhler and SI Director of Basketball Recruiting Jason Jordan based on observations and conversations with an extensive network of coaching and media sources across the country. You can reach Andy on Twitter @AndyBuhler or email him at andy@scorebooklive.com.

SBLIVE/SI POWER 25 NATIONAL BOYS BASKETBALL RANKINGS

Nov. 29, 2021

1. Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) (3-0)

Up next: Dec. 2 vs. No. 9 Oak Hill Academy (NIBC season-opener)

Last ranking: No. 1

Tallied two lopsided wins at the Holiday Hoopsgiving in Georgia, beating Real Salt Lake Academy (Utah) 84-39 on Friday and Wheeler (Ga.) on Saturday, 70-55, before opening NIBC play with No. 9 Oak Hill Academy (Thursday), No. 2 IMG Academy (Friday) and No. 4 Sunrise Christian (Saturday).

2. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) (3-0)

Up next: Dec. 2 vs. No. 4 Sunrise Christian (Kan.)

Last ranking: No. 2

Tuned up with a 67-35 home win over Admiral Farragut (Fla.) to officially kick off its season ahead of the start of NIBC play. The Ascenders open with No. 4 Sunrise Christian (Thursday), No. 1 Montverde Friday and No. 9 Oak Hill (Saturday).

3. Milton (Milton, Ga.) (1-0)

Up next: Dec. 3 at Mount Pisgah

Last ranking: No. 3

Did not play.

4. Sunrise Christian (Bel Aire, Kan.) (3-0)

Up next: Dec. 3 vs. Lake Country Christian (Fla.)

Last ranking: No. 4

Beat Christian Brothers (Mo.) 65-49 behind Mark Mitchell’s 23 points. Kansas-bound Grady Dick had 19 points and 11 boards in a 74-61 win over Bartlett (Tenn.) in the Memphis Hardwood Classic.

5. Duncanville (Duncanville, Tex.) (5-0)

Up next: Nov. 24 vs. Wheeler (Ga.)

Last ranking: No. 6

What a week for Texas’ highest-ranked Power 25 team. The Panthers beat Wheeler (Ga.) before beating California’s two highest-ranked Power 25 teams in the Dallas Thanksgiving Hoopfest. They beat No. 24 Corona Centennial 75-70 on Friday and an Amari Bailey-less No. 5 Sierra Canyon on Saturday, 80-73, behind big performances from five-stars Anthony Black and Ron Holland.

6. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.) (4-1)

Up next: Dec. 1 vs. West Ranch

Last ranking: No. 5

Lost to Duncanville 80-73 in the Dallas Thanksgiving Hoopfest finals — a rematch from the same event in 2019, which Sierra Canyon won 66-63. Trailblazers are still playing without five-star UCLA commit Amari Bailey, who is still injury. A timetable for his return is unknown.

7. Camden (Camden, N.J.) (0-0)

Up next: Dec. 17 vs. Roselle Catholic (ESPN Tip Off)

Last ranking: No. 7

Has not started its season.

8. DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) (0-0)

Up next: Dec. 1 vs. Coolidge (D.C.)

Last ranking: No. 8

Has not started its season.

9. Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) (4-1)

Up next: Dec. 2 vs. Montverde (NIBC tipoff)

Last ranking: No. 9

Quiet week ahead of a jam-packed first NIBC weekend. The Warriors play No. 1 Montverde Thursday, No. 4 Sunrise Christian Friday and No. 2 IMG Academy Saturday at Montverde.

10. North Little Rock (Little Rock, Ark.) (4-0)

Up next: Dec. 2 vs. Beebe (Ark.)

Last ranking: No. 10

Emphatic start to the season for the Charging Wildcats, whose lead duo of now-eligible Arkansas-bound guard Nick Smith Jr. and five-star center Kel’el Ware (Oregon commit) beat Kimball (Tex.) on game-winner from Smith Jr. and Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy 79-63 in the Dallas Thanksgiving Hoopfest.

11. Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant, Utah) (2-0)

Up next: Nov. 30 vs. Timpview (Utah)

Last ranking: No. 11

Ohio State-bound Roddy Gayle Jr.’s 18 points led the Tigers to a season-opening 62-55 win over Pebblebrook (Ga.) in the Holiday Hoopsgiving in Atlanta. Syracuse signee Chris Bunch also had 17. Also beat Bishop Laughlin (N.Y.) on Saturday.

12. La Lumiere School (La Porte, Ind.) (5-0)

Up next: Dec. 2 vs. Bishop Walsh (Md.)

Last ranking: No. 12

Quiet week ahead of the first full slate of NIBC games. The Lakers play Bishop Walsh Thursday, Wasatch Academy Friday and Legacy Early on Saturday at Maryland’s Allegany College.

13. Richardson (Richardson, Tex.) (7-0)

Up next: Dec. 30 vs. Memorial (Tex.)

Last ranking: No. 14

Took down national prep school power AZ Compass 61-38 in the Dallas Thanksgiving Hoopfest behind 25 points from Alabama commit Rylan Griffin and 22 from Kentucky-bound Cason Wallace. (Editor’s note:Though it’s widely considered among the country’s most talented high school teams, AZ Compass does not qualify for the Power 25 because it is not allowed to play Arizona Interscholastic Association member schools in its home state.)

14. Greensboro Day (Greensboro, N.C.) (8-0)

Up next: Dec. 2 vs. Folsom

Last ranking: No. 15

The Bengals built on a hot start to the season that featured a win over Oak Hill by beating in-state opponents Wesleyan Christian Academy (60-38), Glenn (60-28) and South Mecklenburg (61-57) in the Bobby Martin Classic.

15. Combine Academy (Lincolnton, N.C.) (6-0)

Up next: Dec. 3 vs. Morovian Prep

Last ranking: No. 16

Defeated in-state opponents Concord Academy 84-64 and escaped a scare from North Carolina 4A power Chambers, 62-60, thanks to Virginia Tech signee Patrick Wessler’s late-game rebounding and 15 points from Jayden Epps.

16. Roselle Catholic (Roselle, N.J.) (0-0)

Up next: Unknown

Last ranking: No. 17

Has not started its season. The NJSIAA regular season starts Dec. 15.

17. Dr. Phillips (Orlando, Fla.) (1-1)

Up next: Dec. 3 vs. Riviera Prep (Miami, Fla.)

Last ranking: No. 13

Downed by Lake Highland Prep (Fla.) 61-60 to open the season after Ohio State signee Bryce Sensabaugh dropped 39 points and the game-winner with 7.8 seconds left. Rebounded by beating Tri-Cities 79-69 in the Florida Get Down showcase in Orlando.

18. Glenbard West (Glen Ellyn, Ill.) (3-0)

Up next: Nov. 30 vs. Dekalb (Ill.)

Last ranking: No. 18

Won the District 87 Thanksgiving Invite after 30-plus-point wins over Glenbard South (Ill.), Glenbard North and Glenbard East to open the season.

19. Westtown School (Bellefonte, Penn.) (3-0)

Up next: Dec. 2 vs. La Academia

Last ranking: No. 19

Did not play games Thanksgiving weeks after beating Vision Academy in the Westtown Phelps Tournament Championship on Nov. 21. A competitive stretch awaits, starting with La Academia on Thursday and the D.C. National Hoopfest Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 4-5).

20. Whitney Young (Chicago) (0-0)

Up next: Dec. 4 vs. Gonzaga College High School (D.C.)

Last ranking: No. 20

Opens season against Gonzaga College (D.C.) in the Chicago Elite Classic this weekend.

21. Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) (1-0)

Up next: Dec. 2 vs. American Heritage (Fla.)

Last ranking: No. 21

Opened its season with an 82-30 win over Highlands Christian on Saturday.

22. St. Frances (Baltimore, Md.) (3-0)

Up next: Dec. 3 vs. Calvert Hall (Md.)

Last ranking: No. 22

Opened season with blowout wins over in-state opponents New Hope Academy and Arundel Christian and St. James.

23. Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.) (0-0)

Up next: Dec. 1 vs. St. Mary’s (N.Y.)

Last ranking: No. 23

Opens the season this week with back-to-back games over in-state opponents St. Mary’s and Luther.

24. Corona Centennial (Corona, Calif.) (3-0)

Up next: Dec. 2 vs. Oak Hills (Calif.)

Last ranking: No. 24

Rebounded from a narrow 75-70 loss to No. 6 Duncanville by beating Kimball (Tex.) in the Thanksgiving Hoopfest in Dallas.

25. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) (0-0)